Introduction
Alcoholics Anonymous first published Twelve
Steps and Twelve Traditions in 1953. Bill W., who along
with Dr. Bob S. founded Alcoholics Anonymous in 1935,
wrote the book to share 18 years of collective experience
within the Fellowship on how A.A. members recover, and
how our society functions.
In recent years some members and friends of A.A. have
asked if it would be wise to update the language, idioms,
and historical references in the book to present a more contemporary
image for the Fellowship. However, because the
book has helped so many alcoholics find recovery, there
exists strong sentiment with the Fellowship against any
change to it. In fact, the 2002 General Service Conference
discussed this issue and it was unanimously recommended
that: "The text in the book Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions,
written by Bill W., remain as is, recognizing the Fellowship's
feelings that Bill's writing be retained as originally
published."
We hope that the collective spiritual experience of the
A.A. pioneers captured in these pages continues to help
alcoholics and friends of A.A. understand the principles
of our program.